Many Nigerians only realise they have kidney failure until the very absolute end, making a government-led effort to assist the citizens commendably timely as the first quarter of a promising 2025 hurries down to a close.

Instead of letting an ailing population suffering the misfortune of a kidney disease by literally paying through their nose before they get their renal health check thoroughly done, the Bola Tinubu Presidency, as part of the succour it says it wants to provide to the struggling populace, is demanding that the heavy lifting part of quality healthcare access to fall to it.

The Presidency, through the federal health department for the moment going forward, is obsessing with combating the rising burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) as well as acute kidney injury (AKI). Both, according to experts, have seen high growth in the past months. So, how specifically will the policymakers assist?

An effort to make kidney dialysis affordable is one way to support over 25 million Nigerians estimated to be suffering from chronic kidney disease. High blood pressure and diabetes are the two leading causes of CKD, so where exactly can the patients go for the help promised will be down to 11 federally-administrated institutions, which Meiza Nigeria can list.

Where help is

CKD patients often receive care from nephrologists, who specialise in kidney health. They may also visit specialised kidney care centres or hospitals with nephrology departments.

In many countries, there are national health policies and strategies to address CKD, which include providing access to kidney care services like what is going on at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Ebute-Metta Lagos, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi, Abuja, the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) Maiduguri.

For more detailed information, those observing kidney disease symptoms might want to check with local health authorities or the remaining six government-run centres.

ALSO READ: Understanding for women that Vitamin C to light up skin puts precious kidneys at risk

They are listed as Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abeokuta, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Lagos, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Azare, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Benin, University of Calabar Teaching (UCTH) Calabar, and the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, which piloted the idea in January.

At the time, a second term for President Donald Trump of the United States was getting ready to start. Mr Trump’s first day in office is remembered for the raft of executive orders resulting in cost-cutting measures, which prevented health aid from getting to developing countries like Nigeria.

Perhaps it is no surprise then that the Bola Tinubu Presidency wants to be seen to be stepping up with all the monies saved from ending petrol subsidies beginning May 2023 when he also came to power.

In Bauchi at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Hammatu Haruna, the manager-in-charge of the renal centre has seen respite towering up to those who suffer on kidney disease or the other.

They are now paying only N12,000, and our patients are very happy with this initiative. We have seen remarkable improvement in their condition.

Even after hearing the cost, they often had to go back and sell something before they could afford treatment. Some even preferred to stay at home because they simply could not afford it.

We appreciate the federal government of Nigeria; they have given us the necessary support. We have almost everything at hand.

Quick facts

Kidney dialysis is a treatment that helps remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to perform these functions naturally. There are two main types of dialysis.

First one is Hemodialysis, a procedure involving blood getting filtered outside the body using a machine called a dialyzer. This process typically takes place in a hospital or dialysis center, but it can also be done at home.

Then there is Peritoneal dialysis. Here what the difference is that blood is cleaned inside the body using the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) as a filter. A special fluid is introduced into the abdomen, which absorbs waste products and excess fluids, and is then drained away.

In Nigeria, the need for dialysis has increased due to a rise in chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases. Factors contributing to this increase include the high prevalence of hypertension and diabetes. Also, there is limited access to early diagnosis and treatment. It is thought to be believed that poor diet, the lack of exercise, and exposure to toxins can contribute to kidney damage.

To address this growing need, is the reason the Nigerian government has implemented a subsidy on kidney dialysis, reducing the cost for patients from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000 per session at 11 federal medical institutions across the country.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.